I recently started a new job. My new office is just outside of the city, but close enough that the traffic, people, and subway give it a very downtown feel. I took a walk at lunch time the other day and decided to stop by a coffee shop on my way back to work. Upon entering the shop, I couldn’t help but notice the quiet buzz in the room. The restaurant was packed with patrons, but there was no conversation in the air; just the soft tapping of fingers on screens and buttons.

Couples, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances were sitting in an intimate restaurant setting, but had seemingly lost the art of quiet conversation. There was no polite laughter, shy smiles, or awkward glances being exchanged; instead everyone had their head tilted slightly down with eyes focused on a small screen of some sort.

Upon reflecting on this, I’ve come to realize that I too am guilty of being a technology addict. Glued to my phone reading emails, text messages, or posts on one social media site or another, I’ve been asked more than once by my (ever so patient) husband to “put the phone away”. As difficult as it can be for me to do this (as running a small home business means you tend to feel the need to be connected at all times) I eventually concede, but in the back of my mind, I will be wondering “did she reply to me? I wonder if we got the date for that show. Did that bracelet sell?”

Spending time with my daughter, my phone is always on hand so that I will never miss the perfect opportunity to snap that adorable picture in the moment. But when we focus so much on capturing that moment, are we forgetting to live in it and actually appreciate it?

I think it is important for us to take the time to think about the huge impact that communications technology has on our lives on a daily basis. So many of us are now more comfortable sending someone a cold text, rather than making a warm phone call. So much of our intuitive communication ability has been lost as we have become more comfortable hiding behind the anonymity of a screen. We would prefer to replace a genuine smile with a happy face emoticon, and it’s really quite sad.

I have decided that now is the time to disconnect from technology for a period every day. To focus on my family uninterrupted. To give them all of me, without having any of my attention diverted to capturing a moment or missing a message. The messages, emails and notifications will always be there; the moments are fleeting and will pass before you know it.

Change can be defined as “the act or instance of making or becoming different”.

It’s funny, something that can be seen as such a simple transition that is easy to adapt to and appreciate to some, can be viewed as an overwhelming, uncomfortable transition to others.

I used to dread change. In some ways, I still do. Coping with anxiety throughout a large portion of my life, ‘change’ was always a sensitive subject for me. I had (and still have to some extent) a fear of the unknown. “But what if this happens? But what if I fail? But what if they get angry with me?”. But what if none of these things happen? I was never quick to ask myself “But what if I succeed? But what if I excel? But what if they are impressed by me?”.

Why is it always so easy for us to be filled with self doubt over self confidence? Why are some of the first questions we ask ourselves when presented with a new opportunity “what could go wrong here?” instead of “what could go right? What opportunities could come from this? How could I excel at this?”

I have found this topic weighing heavily on me lately. Being presented with new opportunities, I have found my first reaction to be “Am I good enough for this? Am I smart enough? Is my work nice enough?” when I should be thinking “I am so grateful for this new opportunity. I am worthy. I am going to do a great job.”

A huge part of accepting change and embracing new challenges is refraining from fearing the unknown. Most of the time, our fears are unfounded and the worst doesn’t actually happen. We should stop anticipating the worst possible outcome, and prepare ourselves instead for the greatest possible outcome. EMBRACE the unknown! Get excited about all of the wonderful things that are going to happen when you finally say “yes” to change, instead of looking back with regret and saying “I wish I had accepted that opportunity”.

I am working on accepting new challenges and changes with open arms, as I have found that any time I have done so lately, great new things have happened. I have met amazing new people and have gotten to be a part of interesting new endeavors. My new goal is to stop hesitating. Stop saying “should I?”. JUMP IN! Take a risk. Be accountable, but embrace the change. You never know what could come from jumping in. Perhaps something as simple as a lesson learned, or something as huge as a new business opportunity, you will never know unless you take the risk and TRY!

As grateful as I am for the opportunities that being involved in the social media community has brought my way, there is a side to it that I never really acknowledged until recently. Chatting with a friend about why they have disconnected from social media and deleted their online presence, I decided to really think about how the constant barrage of “good news” people share could be seen as damaging to some.

Most people do not eagerly log on to their social media accounts to report bad news or stressful things that are going on in their day to day life. “Struggling to make ends meet this week, I hope I can pay the rent.” “My relationship with my partner is falling apart behind closed doors.” “Being a new parent is harder than I am making it seem through my pictures.”

Going through a grey period in your life, and then logging on to see that everyone you’re connected with appears to be ‘living the dream’ may cause feelings of hopelessness, self doubt, jealousy and anger. As much as we attempt to not compare our lives to the lives of those around us, if we do find ourselves at a low point, doing so seems almost unavoidable. “I wish I had that happy marriage” “I wish my baby would sleep and smile constantly too” “I wish I had the money for all of those gadgets, trips, and toys.”

It is important to remember that the grass is not always greener on the other side. The grass is most green where we water it. If you want that happy looking marriage, you must remember that not every marriage is perfect. Regardless of how things appear (or how people would like things to appear) it takes a lot of work to make a marriage happy and successful, and comparing your marriage to someone else’s is like comparing apples to oranges. Every relationship varies greatly, and every person has different standards for what constitutes a fulfilling relationship for them.

And if you are a parent, you know the truth. There is no such thing as a baby who is happy and smiling 24/7. A baby cries as a way of communicating to their parent that they need something or are uncomfortable. No one wants to take a snap shot to record the time their baby had that “epic meltdown”. They work hard to get those baby smiles, and that’s what they want the world to see. As parents, we must work to make sure our children are happy, healthy, and thriving. Making sure we take time each day to be physically and emotionally present with our kids will ensure that our children are the happiest they can be.

Those people who bought that huge new house or car or boat? You don’t know what they had to struggle through to get there. They didn’t share the arduous journey that involved disagreements, scrimping, and saving. You got to witness the final product – thus, leaving you with the impression that it was effortless.

This is why it is so important to never take things at face value; especially online. You don’t know the story behind the pictures or posts. Most accomplishments do not come easy for most people, and most accomplishments do not come without their fair share of disappointments along the way. Appreciate what you have, be grateful for who you are, and water your grass!

– Niyamama_Kate

]]>https://niyamamas.com/2016/02/18/water-your-grass/feed/2niyamamasIMG_0191Aromatherapy and Our Emotionshttps://niyamamas.com/2016/02/15/aromatherapy-and-our-emotions/
https://niyamamas.com/2016/02/15/aromatherapy-and-our-emotions/#respondMon, 15 Feb 2016 01:15:53 +0000http://niyamamas.com/?p=185I know we have all heard the term “Aromatherapy” but not all of us truly know what it means or how long it has actually been around or how scents can stimulate and balance our emotions.

For centuries scientists and psychologists have been searching and trying to understand the phenomena we call emotions. They cannot definitively explain everything that relates to emotions or the mechanisms around them however we are pretty certain that they do play a large part in influencing our well being.

For thousands of years Aromatherapy has been used to influence ones emotions but was never give the actual term “Aromatherapy” until the 20th century. By definition it is used to describe the practice of using essential oils to enhance our psychological and physical well being. There is a lot now known about Aromatherapy but just recently more and more is being discovered around how scents actually affect our emotions.

One thing I have found in my research and from reading many articles around aromatherapy is that everyone responds to scents so differently. Each trigger and response to the oils is unique to each person but one thing that is always true is we all have emotions. Diffusing oils is one of the most common ways people use aromatherapy everyday.

Essential oils work differently for everyone not only when it comes to emotions but also when it comes to your well being. That is why there are always several suggestions offered when you research each oil. Example, some may say that using lavender helps to promote a restless sleep and helps one to relax. This may be true for some people but I have heard from others that diffusing lavender at night actually keeps them awake. This is just due to our body chemistries and how they differ between us all. I encourage people to never give up if one oil doesn’t work for you, but try and try again because sometimes it is just not working for you in the way it would for someone else. Below I have posted an Aromatherapy wheel that we use as wellness advocates with dōTERRA.

*image property of dōTERRa

One reason Kate and I started to include lava beads in our bracelets was so that people can use them as essential diffusers all day because we believe that Aromatherapy does work and has helped the both of us. The lava bead holds the essential oil scent for you throughout the day and helps to balance your emotions as you wear your bracelets. Example,the Elevation blend by dōTERRA is one I like to use on days at work when I need to stay focused and keep my energy levels up. I also LOVE the scent of that blend.Kate loves to use Lavender because she finds it calming to have on throughout the day and it is also one of her favourite scents in the photo below the black beads are lava rock which are natural and hold the essential oils.

If you are at all interested in learning more about essential oils or purchasing them, sharing them or becoming a wellness advocate yourself please contact us for more information or visit Here . Please also contact us if you are interested in having an essential oil infused bracelet. We can custom make them for you or add in a lava bead or two to any of our current designs.

I am actually attending an “Aroma Touch Therapy” course in a few weeks to learn how to perform Aroma touch and learn more about how specific scents affect our emotions. I will definitely have a part two to this post once I finish the course.

Stay tuned to learn more about essential oils and our journey to helping balance our emotions.

-Niyamama_Ash

*image property of dōTERRa

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Forgiveness is often touted as being a selfless act. “I will choose to forgive you.” “I have chosen to forgive him, but I will not forget.” “Even though she doesn’t deserve it, I will forgive her and move on.”

In my opinion, forgiveness is completely self-serving. We do this for ourselves; so that we can overcome a situation and move on. So that we ourselves have a sense of closure, an end to an uncomfortable moment or situation.

Most often those who are being forgiven aren’t necessarily affected by our forgiveness, nor does it necessarily benefit them to be forgiven. If you are lied to and choose to forgive the liar, are you benefitting them by looking the other way? Maybe; but maybe you are giving them an out and an excuse to do this again to you or some one else.

Forgiveness is tough. When someone has cut you deeply, it is incredibly difficult to turn that page and begin another chapter of forgiveness and healing. The important thing to keep in mind is that this is a perfectly acceptable reason to be selfish. In forgiving some one who has wronged you, you are opening yourself up to healing, peace, and wisdom. You are allowing yourself to be vulnerable and strong simultaneously.

In life we are often so focused on making others “pay” for the missteps they have taken, instead of focusing on how those missteps have affected us and what we can do for ourselves to move on from it.

It is in times like these that we should return to our mat, and sit in quiet meditation to reflect on what our mind and body require in order to heal. It is in times like these that it is especially ok to put yourself first. In order to live a full life we ourselves must be full; and harboring resentment or hard feelings is only detrimental to ourselves in the long run.

People often spout sayings such as “you get what you give”, “what you put in is what you will get out”, “what goes around comes around” in an effort to promote that being positive and doing good will, in essence, bring you positivity and goodness; while doing the opposite will bring you just that.

Being positive doesn’t come easy to most of us, but it is a skill you can work on and develop. Positivity is something you have to work at, nurture, and grow. It is much easier to look at a situation and say “this sucks” “I hate this” “I can’t wait until this is over” than it is to say “I am grateful I had this opportunity today” “I am thankful that I got to learn from this” and “it is a blessing that I am present for this opportunity to grow”.

The power of positive intention is very real. By being positive and uplifting, it is true that you will attract positive and uplifting things into your life. In the work place, for example, if you make a conscious effort to promote the benefits of your job (i.e. my job provides me with an income, my job provides me with the opportunity to meet new people, my job provides me a way to develop new skills) getting through what may at one time have seemed like an arduous day, suddenly doesn’t seem so. You feel lighter, happier. Your co-workers will pick up on your positive energy and it will benefit them as well.

Positivity can be contagious. If we all made a conscious effort to be more appreciative of the simple things the universe has blessed us with, the world would truly become a brighter place. I know in my day to day life I have begun a simple ritual of being grateful for at least one thing every day. Whether it be “today I am grateful for the opportunity to get out of bed this morning” or “today I am grateful for patience in dealing with my toddler”, I try to make a conscious effort to recognize things that I have been blessed with.

I have also begun choosing a simple “positive intention” from an envelope I have filled with them. Every morning I choose one and display it at my desk in my office. Today my positive intention reads “I am always a picture of prosperity.” Now this may not mean financial prosperity, but I consider myself to be quite prosperous in other areas of my life. By believing this to be true and by being grateful for this, I am opening myself to receive other blessings from the universe.

I hope that this little message has given you pause, and perhaps encouraged you to see things from a different angle.

Thesupremeandmostsacredsyllable,consisting in Sanskrit of thethreesounds(a),(u),and(m),representingvariousfundamentaltriadsandbelieved to be thespokenessence of theuniverse. It is uttered as a mantraand in affirmationsandblessings.

I can remember being a child vividly. The sights, sounds, smells. The hopes and the fears. I remember laying in my bed at night in my parents’ home and pondering what it “all” means. There came a point in time where I was consumed with the permanence of death and the concept of having limited time on earth. When it was time for bed, I had to remove every watch and clock from my room that made a ticking sound; hearing time pass by while I was wasting it in bed was all too much for me to handle.

In the dead silence of my bedroom, I clearly remember thinking that it was never really silent. No matter what I did, there was a constant “hum” surrounding me. I couldn’t chalk it up to traffic, television, electronics; none of these were present. I often wondered why.

I remember listening to a conch my parents had brought back with them on their honeymoon in Jamaica. “Listen to the conch” they said, “you can hear the ocean”. Holding the empty shell to my ear, I could hear it. It was the energy of the ocean washing over me and transporting me to a different time and place.

To me, this is the definition of “om”. The silent sound that surrounds us every day, permeating from every thing in the universe. Even when it is silent, it is never *really* silent. I believe it is life force energy making itself heard, reminding you that it is there, and asking you to embrace it.

Interested in having Niyamamas create a custom bracelet or stack for you or a loved one? Please contact us for pricing and options. Most of the bracelets we create are priced at $12 each or two for $20, and the limited edition mala sets that appear on our Facebook page are currently priced at $25 (two bracelets per set).

We so look forward to speaking with you and working with you to create a meaningful, beautiful piece of jewellery! You also have the option of adding a little more positive energy into your life with Reiki infused gemstone jewellery.

– Kate & Ashleigh

]]>https://niyamamas.com/2016/01/08/custom-jewellery-creations/feed/2niyamamasIMG_0608IMG_0617IMG_0610Crystal Characteristicshttps://niyamamas.com/2016/01/08/crystal-meanings/
https://niyamamas.com/2016/01/08/crystal-meanings/#respondFri, 08 Jan 2016 14:23:55 +0000http://niyamamas.com/?p=75We always use 100% genuine crystals when creating our jewellery. This is a list of the crystals we generally keep in our inventory, along with a brief explanation of their metaphysical properties. Please check with us if you are interested in a crystal that does not appear on this list.

Aventurine

Comforting and healing, Aventurine can be used in clearing and activating the Heart Chakra for all around well-being and emotional stability. It is also a powerful protector of the Heart Chakra.

Purple Agate

Purple agate enhances creativity and energy, while also strengthening intellect. This makes it a beneficial stone for both students and artists. It is also known as a good luck stone and a stone of harmony, since one of the things purple agate does is balance yin/yang energy. Purple agate can aid in removing blockages in the 7th Chakra: the Crown Chakra.

Chrysocolla

Chrysocolla is a stone of tranquility. It can be used with the Throat Chakra, where it helps with wise communication, or with the Heart Chakra to balance and strengthen, helping one to learn how to live from the truth of the Heart. Chrysocolla is soothing and calming in times of stress, bringing about a gentle release.

Labradorite

Labradorite heightens intuition and enhances psychic abilities, making it great for working with the Third Eye Chakra. Intuition and intellect are balanced by Labradorite, and true intentions are seen more easily with its use. Labradorite is also very protective against negative energies, balancing, strengthening and protecting the aura and sealing the aura from energy leaks.

Sodalite

Sodalite is helpful for those who find themselves to be over-emotional, due to its ability to focus energy on the Third-Eye and Throat Chakras. This will allow one to use more logic and intuition, rather than the emotions from an over-developed Heart Chakra.

Turquoise

Turquoise is perfect for work with the Throat Chakra. It will aid in fostering honest and clear communication from the heart. Turquoise enhances intuition and communication between the physical and spiritual realms. Turquoise can be used to release old vows, express freely, and ease nerves when speaking in public. Turquoise is a protective, healing stone that provides strength and purification.

Amazonite

Amazonite soothes aggravation and emotional trauma, eases irritation, and calms all of the chakras. Amazonite also assists the user in seeing different sides of the same issue, and balances masculine and feminine energy as well as different personality traits.

Rose Quartz

Rose Quartz is the stone of unconditional love – love of self, love of family, love of friends, and romantic love. Because it is a type of quartz, Rose Quartz does have a high energy, but its vibe is also calming and soothing. It is known as a “romance stone”, and can also be used to attract love into one’s life. It is important for work with the Heart Chakra.

Rainbow Moonstone

Rainbow Moonstone allows the Crown Chakra to open and bring in loving white healing energies that will flow through us to the very core of our being. Rainbow Moonstone encourages introspection and judgment, yielding easier decision making.

Gold and Blue Sandstone

Sandstone is a cheerful stone that keeps tantrums and mood swings under control. When used on the Sacral chakra, Sandstone can help you discern the truth among those around you and to keep your mind clear when making decisions.

Howlite

Howlite is a stone to use when one feels the need to reduce anxiety, tension and stress. Howlite can be used to facilitate awareness, encourage emotional expression and assist in the elimination of pain, stress and/or rage. Howlite will calm and soothe the emotions, slow the overactive mind and help to achieve a deep and restful sleep.

Lapis Lazuli

Lapis Lazuli is a stone of communication that can bring truthfulness, openness, as well as mental clarity. It is used to help you to say the right thing at the right time. It’s energy can help you to organize daily life as well as assist in organizing and quieting a busy or restless mind. It helps to lessen confusion and increase concentration. It can also help to bring strong inner power which can help to build courage, confidence, and overcome shyness. Lapis Lazuli is related to both the throat chakra.

Malachite

Malachite is a stone of good fortune, prosperity abundance. It also assists in making transformational changes with a gentleness of the heart, easing the transition from one state to the other. Malachite’s primary energy is associated with the heart chakra.

Tiger Eye

Tiger eye is useful for recognizing one’s own needs in relation to the needs of others. It helps to balance the yin and yang and energize the emotional body. Tiger eye stabilizes mood swings and imbues us with willpower, purpose, courage and self-confidence. Tiger eye’s primary energy is associated with the solar plexus chakra.

Bronzite

Bronzite is used often to help with certainty and with taking control of our actions. It can also help one to think ahead about things, which also enhances the ability to take control of our own lives while still being loving and polite and principled in our behavior. Bronzite is used in crystal healing for ailments related to the solar plexus chakra.

Citrine

Citrine is said to promote and manifest success and abundance in all areas, and in many ways. It is particularly used to promote success in business if used in the cash box of a shop or carried/worn by the owner. In addition to manifesting abundance, citrine also brings energies of generosity so that the prosperity and success is shared. Citrine is a solar plexus chakra stone used metaphysically to increase, magnify and clarify personal power and energy.

Ruby

Ruby stimulates the crown chakra as well as the heart chakra. It is used to amplify energy and increase chi or prana (universal life force energy). Ruby is used as a stone to increase passion and to bring and increase romantic love. It is also said to bring integrity, devotion, and happiness to romance as well as other parts of life. It is used to work with heart chakra issues.

Pyrite

Pyrite can enhance one’s will during the most challenging times and helps to support the action necessary for personal growth and success. Pyrite also promotes good physical health and emotional well-being. This stone corresponds with the solar plexus chakra.

Unakite

Unakite is a stone with gentle but powerful energy. It is helpful for dealing with loss and separation. It brings unconditional love of humanity, connection and reunion. It works through the third eye chakra.

Rhodochrosite

Rhodochrosite aids in balancing and enhancing love on different levels. It balances mental and emotional processes. It helps to balance inner conflicts. This can bring a deep sense of happiness and relief from ongoing stress. Rhodochrosite works through the sacral and heart chakras.

Sunstone

Known as a joyful stone, it restores the enjoyment of life. Sunstone helps to dispel fears and phobias and can be used to decrease stress and lift depression. Sunstone can bring good luck and abundance, and has the ability to turn negative energies into positive energies. Sunstone also helps to increase life force energy. Sunstone is primarily associated with the sacral chakra.

You’ve probably seen them: those boho babes with their beachy waves and bracelets lining up their wrists and those long, beautiful, beaded necklaces with little tassels at the bottom. Some people see them as beautiful fashion accessories; I mean how could you ever go wrong wearing a long beaded necklace, usually created with some form of gemstone or other natural material? It’s the perfect accessory to your yoga ensemble or boho chic attire.

Ashleigh and I (Kate) attended a wellness show, where I overheard a woman telling her husband “I want one of those long necklaces, you know, the ones with the string at the end? You can wrap them around your wrist and it looks like a big bracelet.”

There’s absolutely no harm in seeing these necklaces for what they look like; beautiful jewelry. However, I am sure most people were not aware that they are called “Malas” and are a useful aid in your meditation practice.

Traditionally, malas are created using 108 beads, one guru bead (such as a Buddha, crystal, or other symbol) and a tassel. The number 108 is significant in many different ways. In some schools of Buddhism, it is believed that human beings are capable of 108 feelings. In Japan at the end of the year, a bell is rung 108 times in Buddhist temples to signify the end of the old year and welcome the new one. Each ring of the bell is a representation of 1 of 108 earthly desires a person must prevail over in order to achieve nirvana.

In the Sanskrit alphabet, there are 54 letters as opposed to the 26 letters in the English alphabet. Each of these Sanskrit letters have a masculine and feminine variation (a Shiva and a Shakti), so in reality, the Sanskrit alphabet is 54 letters x 2 = 108.

Two of your Niyamamas, Ash and I, registered to take a Mala Making Workshop with Julie Lockhart-Thompson at Fountain of Youth Yoga and Wellness Centre in Whitby. There, we were given an explanation of the meaning behind the use of 108 beads, how to use a mala in meditation, and how to choose the gemstone beads to make your mala. We were also provided with all the necessary materials to complete a mala of our very own.

The beads we chose to complete our malas with are those that had the most important meaning for us. Each gemstone has its own metaphysical properties, so if you feel yourself drawn to a certain stone, there could be a reason behind it. It’s important to research the different properties of the different stones you could use in order to understand why you are drawn to them, or to choose them based on the intentions they represent.

The malas we created were completed using the double knotting technique. This means that there is a double knot separating each bead. This makes the process a lot more time consuming; however it gives your mala a longer appearance and makes it easier to recite your mantra. Generally, when you are in meditation your eyes are closed and holding one bead, you recite your mantra, and then slide your fingers to the next bead, and so on. The idea is to recite your mantra 108 times. Having the double knots separating your beads helps to keep you in your correct place.

Once you reach the guru bead, you are to stop and carry on with counting in the opposite direction. This is because when you reach the guru bead you are to take the time to reflect on the awareness that you should have in every aspect of life, and take a moment to reflect on the importance of your mantra and your intentions and motivation for sitting in meditation. The guru bead is said to carry the energy of your mantra, and you should touch it whenever you require a boost in that specific energy.

The tassel is found at the end of the guru bead (in the image below we tested replacing the tassel with a wrapped crystal for a different look). There are a few different interpretations of the meaning of the tassel, but the one I like most is the idea of a lotus flower. The tassel can be said to represent the roots of a lotus flower, which blooms beautifully even in the dirtiest, ugliest looking swamps. The roots of the flower are below the water, uncontrollable and messy, as your tassel is sure to get after much use

We have found our malas to be an important addition to our meditation practice. As they can be pretty pricey to buy, it may be in your best interest to create your own. It is definitely a relaxing exercise, and we have since found beading to be one of our favourite stress-relieving activities. See some of our bracelets we have also been working on below